Board of Education Meeting 11/13/18

001Please rise for the flag. >> I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. In accordance with the provision of the open public meeting act, a public notice of this meeting has been sent to board members, all district schools, the Herald news, the trends, the records, the messenger West Milker Town Hall, the county superintendent office, board attorney, and cable vision of war. and posted in the administration. Copies of majority meeting calendar resolution were provided to all local media town hall township library and all district school board. >> Mr. Bailey, Mr. Sidowitz here, >> Mr. Drew >> here, >> Mrs. Dwire here, >> Mrs. Fritz, Mrs. Mr. Gino >> here, >> Mr. Mr. Yuber

002>> here, >> Mrs. O'Brien here, >> Mrs. Van Djk here. >> Dr. Adam on your report. >> Uh yes. Good evening everybody. Uh before I forget, uh we do have a not so small reminder of our Highlander marching band. This is our national championship. As you can see, it's about 12 ft high. It clears the ceiling by about an inch and a half here. So, at least we know how high the East Media Center ceilings are. Um, this was one week after winning the States. They advanced to the National Championships in Allentown, PA, and they came home with the trophy, and the the hardest part of the evening for us was finding out a way to get it home. So, we opened the back of the bus up and brought it in and laid it

003on the center of the uh bus aisle. So, congratulations to Dr. McLaclin, all the staff, and obviously all of our hardworking kids. Uh the national championship started back in August when they had band camp in uh in the parking lot in 95 degree weather, in rain, in wind, etc. And they're out there practicing every day as hard uh as any athletic team. So congratulations to all of our students. >> Great job. [Music] [Applause] >> Did we read the open public reading statement there? >> Yes, we did. >> You must out of it. I did read it. Did anybody else not hear the open public meeting? Okay. I I just wanted to make sure. >> Okay. Uh just to update the board, uh year two of the Kinsaf Fluency Program. Uh this is a program that

004we use at the K to8 schools uh not at the high school. Uh parents can sign up. Uh the deadline is already passed already. It was mostly in September where they can sign their families up. They get a free digital thermometer and can they can also download the app so they can use this to record illnesses. Um the everything is confidential but this helps parents if they get a buzz on their app they'll know that the stomach bug is going through Apua now in fourth grade or there is another you know strep is going through uh PK in first grade. So they're able to look at this information. We have as of today 787 families already enrolled. Um that's families not students. So you're looking at well over a thousand students who are now hooked

005up with our program here. So we're very happy with that. Again, no cost to parents. Uh we hope to increase that number for next year, year three. And the monthly progress towards district goals. I'm going to focus on math. Dan and Mrs. West are here to focus on language arts in just a moment. um just to give the board an update on two programs that we're running this year that are fairly new. We've discussed it in committee in the past and we've even discussed it at board meetings, but I'll I'll try to give you a little bit more detail now. So, in math, we have a pilot program in fifth, sixth grade for enriched math classes. It's at three district schools this year, Apua, Westbrook, and Upper Greenwood Lake. We're going to ex uh assess

006the success of this program at the end of the year and make a determination in the spring whether we roll this out to all six schools and continue with this or not. So the goal ultimately is to increase the rigor at m in math at makipin school uh potentially leading to the creation of an algebra class for seventh graders. Presently right now it's offered to eighth graders only. So, this could potentially open up the possibilities of opening up or creating a a seventh grade algebra course for some of our more gifted math students, which would of course open up the following year an eighth grade class in geometry, which would be the next math course in sequence. So, this would more or less bring us up to speed with our competitor schools and competitor districts,

007not just in the region, but across the state. So, um, we just started with this about a month ago and we're looking to, uh, keep a close eye on this to see how successful we are there. And the second thing at the younger grades is called our new, the new program here called Math Facts in a Flash. This is at the kindergarten through third grade level. This is through the Renaissance software company that we've uh, used that we also used last year. The math facts really helps our students achieve automaticity, which is the ability to recall facts instantly and accurately. So those are your core math functions, add, subtract, multiply, divide. And studies have proven that students who leave third grade with those four skills uh down pat uh go to much higher levels of

008math in middle and high school. So, um, it's sort of like a digital flash card, so to speak, but it's a little bit more of a progressive approach. So, uh, we're very excited about those two new programs this year, and again, we'll brief the board in the spring about the success of those at a later date. All right, next up, Miss Murphy. >> Okay, so I have a pretty big list of things that we have happening and have happened. The first thing I'm going to point out is again the band winning the 2018 US band 5A National Championship. It's a big deal. We should point it out more than once. I had around November 30th. November 5th, the high school had its annual career day and there was over 40 presentations on different career paths

009available to students. November 10th, we had the 19th annual military tattoo in which several different pipes and drums bands performed. November 12th, just last night, was the National Honor Society induction. Yesterday during school day, the heroes and cool kids also kicked off their program where high school students visited the elementary schools and they particularly mentored the fifth graders. Uh currently the Interact Club is hosting a food drive at the high school. We're accepting donations of food to bring to local food pantries. Coming up, winter sports are on their way. We'll be kicking off the new year with a new hockey team in which we're combining with Ponic. Uh parent teacher conferences will be coming up next week and then November 21st we have a district-wide wear jeans day and we're going to be collecting money

010for reads across America which two high school students Evan Lumé and Matt Hoffman are running. They're trying to get as much money as they can to lay reads across West Milford on all streets. So that's all I got. >> Thank you. >> Mr. Novak, you have a presentation. >> Yep. Uh we're going to start with a presentation in a moment. Just have a couple quick announcements before we do that. Um and to reiterate, uh one of the things that Miss Murphy explained is that we do have our um parent teacher conferences scheduled for next week. Our uh first marking period ended on November 7th. Our teachers are in the process of finalizing uh report cards and and end of quarter grades and we anticipate um you know being able to share those with our uh

011with our families uh Monday and Tuesday of next week where a parent can come to the conferences and and sit and talk about their students progress. Uh you can expect a long- winded and lengthy uh honey well from me uh before uh before the end of this week to advertise our parent teacher conferences and also our um celebration this week of um American education week. We're going to be opening our doors for uh parent visitation day which is going to take place in all of our elementary schools on Friday and at the uh Makipin school and high school on Thursday. So uh just a few things to to be prepared for. Um, also I want to announce I I mentioned it at a previous meeting, but we are in the process of advertising and this

012is the flyer that'll be going home to parents soon for our second annual safe night. It's going to take place on um December 4th and the event will um span the time of 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The the program really begins at 6. uh the period between 5 and 6, we have a uh time for for uh families to arrive, register and get checked in and visit with um vendors and um local recreation theater groups. You know, the the point of this evening and and if we just to recall, I keep using safe night acronym um we call safe uh based on uh substance awareness and and family empowerment night. So, it is a tremendous event. We we brought in close to 450 family uh parents and and students combined last year. Uh and

013that's just for the targeted group of of fifth through 8th grade. Uh tremendous event. We we offer a family style dinner where um parents will uh sit with their children and um be engaged in um discussion uh activities that'll be led by our heroes and cool kids. So we'll have our uh last year at this time we were just introducing that group as a as a new group. um this year they are trained and they're already in our classrooms working with our fifth and sixth graders. So the the students who attend that night will know who our high school uh heroes and cool kids are. So we're we're looking forward to that being like a um a little upgrade from from last year's event. We also had the opportunity to bring back last year's speaker.

014We we had um Mr. Dr. Matt Bellis last year who presented the uh topic of um natural high uh which focused on things that children can do and focus on to to keep them on a on a less less risky and less dangerous path and and uh we had tremendous feedback um in regard to that speaker. He's coming back for a follow-up where he's talking about resiliency and uh overcoming some um overcoming some uh personal demons um you know at an age appropriate um sort of uh presentation. So, we're excited to bring him back. And again, December 4th, we're going to be advertising and and really getting out the invitations and the permission slips during our parent visitation day Friday and then during our parent teacher conferences next week. So again, um, expect a lengthy

015email. Maybe not as long as my explanation that I just, uh, gave you. Now, um, but that'll be, uh, or Honeywell, I should say, not email. Um, now shifting gears, tonight, we are going to highlight our, uh, language arts program, K through 12. We have Mrs. Sharon West here, uh, to to present on all of the great things that we're doing in language arts across the district. Um each meeting you approve um things like professional development, our readers and writers workshop trainer. Um you sign um the bills list when we're buying furniture. Often uh I give a brief description. Um but tonight we're going to be able to expand on and and really give you a a little inside glimpse at what that looks like and how it plays out in all of our buildings.

016Again, this is K12. Uh you can anticipate again this is my long- winded um portion of the evening but you can anticipate a little bit longer um director of ed report for the next few months as we're going to take content by content starting now this month with language arts and each month we're going to highlight um each of our contents and give you a full a full scope and a detailed look at at the things we're doing in all of our classrooms. So um Mrs. West Sure. [Music] >> Good evening. I'm so pleased to be able to be here again to share with you all of the wonderful things that are going on uh that our teachers and students are involved in in English language arts K to2. So I'm calling this presentation uh

017items from our news feeds. I use Twitter as a per professional uh learning network but also as an opportunity to share the things that students and teachers are doing and to support uh all the other programs and uh departments in throughout the district. And uh there's a lot of wonderful things going on. If you follow Twitter, you'll you'll see all those great things. I'll talk a bit about the elementary schools, Makipin Middle School and West Milford High School in our elementary schools. And you'll see my actual um posts and posts of some of my colleagues. Um moving forward with writer workshop professional development, handwriting instruction in grades K to two, cursive instruction in grade three, phonics instruction in grades K to two, and the bounce literacy support team in year five. We're in years 2,

018three, and five of many of our initiatives. And um I call that a good opportunity to gain traction. When you're beginning initiatives, it's it's a lot of work. Uh but as you are getting into years 2 through 5, you're really starting to see the fruits of uh all of our labor. Um I want to speak a moment about comprehensive and job embedded professional development and why that matters. It's great to have people come in and and do a workshop here and there or have our teachers um sent out somewhere for a day or two for PD, but when we have an opportunity for them to come into our own schools and our own classrooms and work directly with our teachers, it provides a unique opportunity and aligns with be best practices of uh adult learning

019theory. It's providing in the- moment modeling and feedback for our teachers, with our own students. Um it offers individualized instruction for our teachers and it provides a space for collaboration and articulation among schools and grades and teachers. And this is one of the large takeaways and the benefits that I hear teachers um saying that they most appreciate about some of these uh PD opportunities. Um so we have ongoing PD with writers workshop. Our focus this year is grades two and six. We're in year three as I said of a 5-year initiative. Um we have seven grade levels trained to date. Uh that's 2 3 4 5 6 and seven. Grades seven and eight have been trained in reader workshop and uh are currently being trained in writer's workshop. Grades two and six this year is

020our writer workshop focus. And we are taking a deeper dive into readers and writers notebooks and zooming in on guided reading and at the lower grade levels at primary and strategy groups for upper elementary. Handwriting and why it matters. Functional legibility of our program has been the goal. Um while we know students want to have very nice handwriting and we all want to have very nice handwriting, our real goal for our students is to be able to have some handwriting that they can read and that others can read. Uh students take pride in the writing. I think many of us take pride in our handwriting. uh or you often hear people say that they you know they'll apologize for their handwriting or I'm a left-hander myself so I've often made that apology. Um but what's

021really important is that in this swipe and type of communication that we do and that certainly has its place when you're swiping your finger across glass or typing on keys, we're not getting that feedback, that handbrain connection. And when a student holds a pen or a pencil or a crayon and they feel that drag, they're getting that handbrain connection which leads to stronger and different neural pathways and long-term memory storage. And we have MRIs to support that research and it's really meaningful for them and it really helps them to um engage in writing as thinking. Uh that success with writing empowers them as writers and of course fine motor skill development is critical to their development overall. Uh handwriting in grades K to three. We're in year three of a three-year development and rollout. We

022are uh we have two years of a feedback loop for efficacy. So we've enabled our teachers to provide feedback to the team that's developing the program and incorporate that feedback. Uh again it's multiensory and multimodal. Other features of the program that make it stand out as something better than what we could have purchased off the shelf. We have simplified letter for letter formations. We have movement and learning. Uh this supports again long-term memory. It's a research supported best practice. And it's fun. You see our students here in a kindergarten class. They are up. They're moving. They're singing. They're dancing. Um we know that movement is good for them in the day. and it helps them again to get those gross motor skills going and it keeps them moving throughout the day which we also know

023is just a best practice. Uh we've also incorporated clear and age appropriate paper and materials for them. Year two of two for cursive our occupational therapists continue to support our teachers in the classrooms. We have articulation and feedback meetings to support uh that feedback loop and our students are excited and very proud of their handwriting. I I overwhelm I overwhelmingly heard from our grade three teachers that the that the students were just excited to be learning cursive. Sometimes they do it as something that they do after lunch. They get relaxed. They write, they enjoy it. Um you know, for some of them it's almost like an art form. Many of us, you know, do calligraphy for that sort of thing. And it's really a nice opportunity for them to uh to enjoy. Uh K to2

024phonics also very exciting. We're already in year two of this initiative and why phonics matters. Um, phmic awareness and phonics are the foundations of literacy. When decoding can happen, we know comprehension can follow. Comprehension cannot happen without the decoding of our basic letters. Comprehension, as we know, leads to higher levels in volumes of reading. And higher volumes of reading lead to student success. So, this very basic fundamental skill is something that supports everything that we do from kindergarten all the way up through our 12th graders. Um, phonics first is the program that we have selected. Um we did a very intense research process and a training process and it was very simply we developed criteria and did a needs assessment. Uh we conducted research and we visited other schools that were implementing other programs. So

025we made sure that it aligned with everything we knew about best practices and everything that we know that should be going on in a classroom. Uh this is a nice picture of one of our students using the sand tray. Our result was that we got an Orton Gillingham aligned program that is uh IMS accredited IDA accredited. These are both organizations that uh support multiensory learning and uh dyslexia. Uh it's differentiated of course teacher supported and student approved. Uh in my travels around the district I'm hearing that teachers are very pleased with the program. I'm hearing that the students are very pleased with the program and that they're enjoying the fact that it is again multiensory. They can get their hands on it. There's paddles. There's fingers in the air, there's movement, there's jumping, there's tapping,

026there's pounding, there's all types of physical movement uh that makes it fun for them, not just a worksheet. Uh so we are in the process of a spring and fall training and in the winter the remainder of our teachers will be trained. We've got all of our interventionists, literacy specialists, resource teachers, all kindergarten, grade 1, and two teachers have been trained for a total of 77 people. Um our balanced literacy support team, this is a brief description of what they do. I spoke about this last time I was here. I'm pleased to say that we're in grade uh in year five of this particular initiative. Um the work of these teachers as they support their colleagues throughout the district. This is another um example of job embedded PD. Our most recent outcomes and the work

027that's been done by this team uh has been reviewing and tweaking our common writing assessments. This was an initiative that we worked on and implemented last year and we're fine-tuning it this year. We're in a very good place with that. um and our phmic awareness material support could not have happened right here in this very room. Immediately after school ended, that team got to work and produced and organized and put together all the phmic awareness materials to support the phonics program. So they could not have done it without them. Makipin Middle School, exciting things happening there as well. We are moving forward with readers and writers workshop year three uh flexible seating and reading spaces and much of this flexible seating and reading space has flown has flowed from the readers and writers workshop model.

028It's a differentiated model and it is um when you are not having a completely teacherdirected classroom that changes the structure of the way the furniture and the organization of the classroom is as well technology infusion and samur of course and differentiated instruction. Um, so our highlights here are grade 8 is our focus this year for writer workshop PD and grade seven we're fine-tuning. They're meeting three times across the year with our presenter. Uh, we have an increased focus on daily independent reading which you'll see happening in all the classrooms at the beginning of each each class period. These are some pictures of some of these new spaces in the smaller learning groups. Students getting comfortable and uh really enjoying their independent reading time or collaborating and talking about their writing. So here we have Mrs.

029Seagull also implementing um phonics first. This is the structures level of the program in developmental reading. She's incorporating all these parts of the program and the additional piece for middle school students is a focus on root words. Makipin Middle School highlights also include same three parts. This is another student who is uh working out the salabication of a word during the same lesson. new and exciting at West Milford High School. This is a picture of our uh showcase table for for our high school um literacy. Uh flexible seating in the English classroom and apprenticeship and feedback from a community publication. Two very exciting pieces for the high school. So, flexible seating in the English classroom. Uh one of our teachers, Mrs. Laorray, um was able to pilot a completely new and um improved way of

030organizing classroom with her furniture. The picture that you see here is actually from Highlander Academy. Uh Mrs. Miranda also has experimented with some flexible seating for her students. So, um why flexible seating? Incorporating student choice is pretty critical to the enjoyment of the literacy experience for students even at the high school level and maybe especially for our adolescence. Uh we want to create an inviting learning environment for them. Um something that's important is mirroring the world of work beyond life and in the classroom. Um we want the learning environment to resemble some of the work environments that they'll be in. conference tables, comfortable seating, Starbucks, conference room, uh working in small collaborative teams or pods. These are the types of uh real world work that they will be doing. And when they are working in

031environment that mirrors that that also advances um their comfortability and and some of the choices that they have. It improves focus and functioning and um it also dignifies the adolescent in their developmental stage of being independent. They like having choices and um they like being able to choose their seats and choose the position in which they're sitting. This is a picture from uh Mrs. Scully's class. So, from Mrs. Lor's class, out of the mouth of babes, this is uh some of their comments about their new new furniture. I really like the furniture because it creates more relaxing their place and like that way we can just like absorb the information better. Huh? >> These tables really make this room far more spacious than it otherwise would be. And they're way more comfortable than those old

032dreary desks. >> Okay. Definitely was flexible. >> Very flexible. Hi. I love having the furniture in this classroom because it brings such a familyfriendly environment. >> I really like the tables. They're really comfortable. You know, chairs are better than the old desks over there. You know, it's really nice. I like coming into a welcoming learning environment and feeling comfortable in class. [Music] >> Okay. All right. Moving right along. Uh, finally, last but not least, our partnership with the West Milford Messenger. Uh, Mrs. Petraillo's journalism and modern media class. Has a unique opportunity to um have Julie Cole, the managing editor of The Messenger, come into the classroom. She did this in April and uh she was able to share information about reporting, writing, editing, and photo, careers in journalism, taking Q&A from students. Uh students

033received feedback, but mostly praised for their work on our award-winning publication, The Highland Echo. Uh both a paper publication and a news site. Further, uh, Miss Cole offered opportunities for our students to serve as a youth intern. That will be something that's happening moving forward. Contribute their articles to the West Milford Messenger. Here on the right, you see, uh, our very own editor-inchief, Kaen Rose Ozanic. She contributed an article in July of 2018. In the Messenger, it was also found in uh, the Highland Echo. So it really is an opportunity to expand their writing not just to the internet, not just to the walls of the classroom, but to the community at large, which is a a wonderful opportunity. Um, and they get to also uh moving forward edit a section perhaps as they become

034more involved in in that internship. So again, wonderful opportunities that our students are having to showcase their writing and uh be a part of their community and and show them that writing really does make a difference. I thank you again for the opportunity to be able to share these wonderful things and thank you for all you do as a board to to uh support all of these wonderful initiatives that our students are engaged in, that our teachers are working hard with. And um thank you again [Applause] Thank you again, Mrs. West. It was a outstanding job. Uh, one thing I'd like to um go back to in her presentation was the uh discussion of uh job embedded sustained professional development. Uh it's something that uh we have really dedicated ourselves to and have been committed

035to and following through on. uh all great districts that uh achieve more use that model of professional development. Um, right now I'd like to branch from that and make a plea to the community, that's the millions of people at home watching around the world, uh, that we need substitute teachers. And, um, we have an ad coming out in the, um, in the paper, in order to have job embedded professional development, we have to have a substitute teacher, a good substitute teacher, uh, in the classroom to to cover uh, that teacher who's who's gaining that um, that level of training. So, in order for that to be successful, we got to make sure we have those people. So, um you can expect to see here in my lengthy Honeywell that's coming this week, uh a push

036and invitation to um have those people who are interested in in substitute teaching apply to the West Milford public schools. We're going to be talking about it at our parent visitation days and also having uh information available at parent teacher conferences. So, um to see and continue, excuse me, uh have these great things continue going forward, uh that the substitute um population growing would would really help in that regard. So, again, expect to see that um you know, that invitation coming real soon. >> And that concludes the director of it. >> Thank you, Mrs. Um I guess we're going on to the special reports. Mrs. Francis back. >> Uh, yes, we have the minutes. Um, it appears Mr. Sidawitz was going through the minutes on the website and for some reason he pointed out that

037the type there was a typographical error. Um, so that's going to be um the page correction for October 17th. Um, there's also the minutes from October 16th, 2018. uh executive and workshop regular. >> We need a motion. I move and a second. >> Second. >> Any discussion on the minutes? If not, um all those in favor? >> I I'm going to abstain that October 17th. That wasn't on the board. >> I also abstain. >> Okay. So, otherwise I'm guess on the other two. If not, any other discussion? Okay, we'll move on to my report then. Um, let's see. Uh, Mrs. Dwire, myself, uh, Mr. Sidowitz was there and also Mr. Guino attended workshop down in Atlantic City. Uh, it was very, it was a very rewarding uh, few days. A little little more intense and

038walking and and meeting a lot of people. Uh we came in in contact actually with believe it or not there is another district out there that is a mirror image of ours that had the same kind of funding cuts and almost almost the same district as far as uh yeah and I I think we are going to arrange >> we're going to sit down with them and and um try to figure out what to do about them. >> Yeah, they are in Gloster County and um they have the same problem with raidables. uh very very similar same they have the same cut as we did. >> So um it was a very informative few days. We went to a number of different work workshop studies which were wonderful and our own turning that did a

039a wonderful program on taking out the trash and it was very good. So uh it was a it was a very full days and that ends my report. >> Can I add your report? >> Sure. >> Okay. We attended, Mrs. um Van Dyke and I attended the veterans presentation at um Paradise Noral School and I'd like to commend Mrs. Cullen for a wonderful job. She pulls this together every year. She has a loyalty to the veterans. Her father was a veteran and she presented that. It was wonderful. And I'd also like to comment that um the other schools that presented veterans programs did a wonderful job. We weren't able to attend all of them, but they really did a good good job. And then Saturday night was tattoo phenomenal. The kids, the parents, the parents

040who worked so hard to pull this thing together really have to be commended and and should be highlighted. Look at the trophy. You had to see these kids carrying this trophy out on the floor. I thought somebody was gonna fall literally. But they did a wonderful job and the bands the the the finale with Clifton High School, West Milford, um the Clatter Band just a wonderful wonderful presentation and I think we should be grateful that we have events like this happening in the district and it was for anybody who attended they'll understand what I'm talking about. Thank you. Thank you for that's okay. >> And Linda, may I just say thank you to the board members that attended because I've been the last two years and the seminars there are just such top so topnotch.

041I'd really like to encourage any other board members that can manage it with their job and everything to make it next year because it's such a valuable time. You get so much out of it and there's there's fantastic information to be obtained there that you don't get anywhere else. and and the the connect the just the networking with other board members. It's nice to hear that other people are having some not that it's nice but it's good to hear that other people are experiencing the same difficult you're not alone >> and they they've come up with some solutions and maybe they will fit and it's great to share. So yes, I I totally I agree. I do encourage anyone next year if they can go that they they got >> um so I'm sorry, Mr.

042Joe. Thank you so much. Brief comment. I'm glad they made it yellow and black and they ought to just keep it yellow and black. [Laughter] >> The size of the trophy. So, and um we'll move on to public comment. Members of the public who have requested to speak prior to the meeting will be first with five minutes for each speaker for a period of 30 30 minutes and then time permitting other public comment limited to 5 minutes per speaker will be allowed until the 30 minute time period transpires. All members of the public speaking during public comment are asked to address the topic topics listed in the agenda. All speakers are asked to give their full name, spell their last name, and provide their address. Speakers may not use the names of students during their

043public comment. Did anybody like to speak? Has anybody signed up? >> No. >> Seeing none like to close public comments. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. Any opposed? >> Okay. >> All right. Just a couple of uh edit two edits to the board agenda tonight. First first one is on page 11 personnel student affairs resolution number 23. We're going to delete one name and add two. The name that gets deleted or crossed out will be Dana Lambert and the two names that are going to be added are Joanna Riley and Lisa Lions. And the second correction is going to be on page 14. [Music] Budget and finance resolution number four should be pulled. We have a hand carry that is slightly different. So we can cross out number four. Pull that from

044the agenda and that'll be >> the hand carry is going to be in green uh in front of you. That should we should consider that after executive session because the board needs to discuss that in executive session first. >> We're going to keep that separate. >> So we need a motion to accept the agenda. >> Move to approve the agenda as presented with the corrections. >> Second. >> All those in favor? I [Music] This is education. Okay. Move to um move to approve items 1 through 12 and hand carry number 14. >> Second >> discussion. Please remind me what number four >> that is the parent company for our um finance program >> for what? first. >> You move. You didn't move 13, right? >> No. No. >> Any other discussion? >> Um had a

045similar question about number five. >> What is that? >> Number five. That is the um approval to purchase the um component called accelerated math that works with our star math program for right >> pilot students at the math school. >> Mr. >> um did you I'm sorry you might ask Mr. So it's I believe we made some changes to the calendar. Was it >> yes >> in line with >> Yes. Uh the school calendar that's number three two school year calendars. The changes from last month would there are three professional development days or really shortened days that were originally delayed opening professional development days for teachers or delayed opening for students. full day for teachers. We're going to change those to be early dismissal for students, full day for teachers. So the PD instead of

046being in the morning, it's going to be in the afternoon. So those are the changes made to both those calendars. >> Any other discussion? >> Did we I'm sorry. Did we need to do anything about Passover or we just >> We left it the way it was because of the calendar itself, the days in the calendar. If we if we add another day, if we take another day out, we have to find another day and that brings us to June 28th. >> Does I'm sorry to be in pain. Does our policy allow though that the the kids who are observing >> we get a list of religious uh we get a list of religious holidays. I think I shared it with the board in an email that are approved from the state uh each year.

047Yeah. >> Of religious holidays. So students can observe >> with no penalty per se. >> All right. And they don't have homework or something they got to make up. Is that correct? >> They would get a chance to make it up >> moving forward. It wouldn't be excused per se, but they would be making up the homework at a at a later date. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Any other discussion? If not transition, >> Mr. O'Brien. Yes. Mr. Sidowitz three. Yes. To the remainder. >> Mr. Drew. [Music] >> Yes. >> Mr. Mrs. Dwire. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Fritz. >> Yes. >> Mr. Yuber. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Van Djk. Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Move on to personnel. Mr. O'Bri. >> Okie dokie. Kids, I'd like to move items 1 through 29 under personnel student

048affairs. >> Discussion. >> Just going to ask if we can hold number five until after executive session. Sure. Is that okay? We have to take >> There needs to be a motion. >> Second. I I believe the chair can just do that if she wants to. >> I'm not the chair. Oh, you mean me? Oh, never mind. The chair first. >> And then there was a second. >> Yeah. So, we do have to have that. >> Not necessarily. Miss Francisco recommended a change to the agenda and we just said okay >> I'm sorry. What was that? >> What? >> Incorrect. >> No, she recommended that we move something after consecutive session and we just did the >> hand. We need a motion. >> Okay. So, did somebody already make a motion? >> Motion a second.

049>> Okay. Discussion on the motion. >> The motion is to postpone this till after executive. Just the one. Thank you. >> Any other discussion? >> No. >> Roll call. >> Mr. Sidawitz. >> Yes. >> Mr. Drew. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Dwire. >> No. >> Mrs. Fritz. >> Yes. >> Mr. Yuber. >> Yes. >> Mrs. O'Brien. >> Okay. What are we voting on, please? the the motion to uh wait until after executive session on motion number five on agenda item five. >> Abstain. >> Miss Van Dyke. >> No. >> Motion fails. >> We have a no. We have an abstain and two nos and an absention. >> It's a simple majority though for a post. It's not a full majority. So it passes. >> Okay. All right, let's go forward without number five in there. Any

050other discussion? This is >> I just wanted to say sorry to hear about bars leaving us, but um we wish you good luck. I've had a great time working with you on technology, so I'll put that out there. >> I'll take you back on that. >> Me, too. >> I can't yell at you anymore. Got to find somebody else now. >> Good luck in the future people. >> Thank you. >> Any other discussion? If not, Francisco. >> Were you waving? I'm sorry. >> Yeah. I'm sorry. I was I wasn't especially demonstrative. I'll do jumping jacks if it really isn't. >> Well, if that works for you, go ahead. >> Um I'm wondering just questions. Uh item 2 or8 um when one of my children was a pretty good fencer and they just had a combined

051fencing team, girls and boys. There were 30 students, one fencing instructor. Do they have different tournaments for boys and girls? All right, that answers that question. >> All the tournaments had different schedules. >> Okay. couldn't do it with one. >> Thanks. [Music] >> Any other discussion? >> I'm sure I'm not missing everybody. Mrs. Francisco, >> Miss O'Brien, >> yes. Mr. Drew, >> yes. >> Mr. Sidowitz, >> yes. >> Mrs. Fritz, >> yes. >> Mrs. Dwire, >> I'm not happy about number five, so I'm going to stay. >> Mr. Yuber, >> yes. >> Mrs. Van Dyk, >> yes. >> We'll revisit number five after executive session. >> Okay. Budget and finance. Mr. Drew, would you like to do that, please? Bear with me. [Music] I would like to Oh, my pages are out of order. Here

052we are. Sorry. Uh, I'll move items 1 through 11, please. Oh, except four, which is after recommended. So 1 2 3 5 to 11 or 5 to 10 11 is a second >> second. >> Any discussion? >> Mr. Huber. >> Um yeah. Uh question for Barbara. I printed out the map and I I really don't know what I'm looking at on this. It really doesn't it's not labeled. It doesn't say what building that is. It doesn't show any roads. Can you tell me what building that is and what's the front and the back so I can get oriented on where the easement is? >> Well, there were photographs also. >> The photographs were of trees, a road, and things that could have been anywhere in town. >> So, [Music] this is Macken Road. See Macken

053Road. Okay. >> The discussion just because everybody's in the dark. He's m Mr. Yuber's asking a question about motion one on there that has to do with the easement for the two water. um on our property. So that's what they're looking at. >> This is Mackaban Road. >> Okay. >> This is the roadway to get to that building. This is our property here which is in the woods, the swamp. >> And this is the the water building for the MUA. So that's not on our property. This is where the easement is right here where the roadway is. >> Um we don't use any of this. We can't get down that road because it's not our property. >> All right. So, this is really not near any of the schools or anywhere a student would be.

054>> No. >> Okay. That's what I need to know. Thank you. >> And which is why we kind of sent the picture with the um there's a picture from our property looking at the building through the trees >> there. These are the pictures, >> right? So, that's >> it's a road, trees, and power lines. >> That's where the road that's the where the road is entered. Of course, none of them were labeled and it's explaining what they're supposed to be depicting. >> The max. >> This is the gate that goes up there. >> Mhm. >> And this is the building from our property. >> There's a building in there >> back there. So, if you go >> Okay. So, the vaguely white spot amongst the trees, there's a building. >> So, if you go up

055the roadway toward M McCormick Field and you walk to the edge of the property and don't don't fall down the hill. >> Mhm. You can see the prop the building. >> But the long and the short is it won't interfere with students. >> No, because we don't have any access to any of that area. >> Okay. >> Any other questions? >> If not, Mr. Francis, please. >> Sure. Uh, Mr. Drew. >> Yes. >> Miss O'Brien? >> Yes. >> Mr. Sidowitz? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Dwire? >> Yes. >> Mr. Yuber? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Fritz? Yes. >> Yes, I saw that. That's why I skipped over it. >> This is in Florida. You only get to vote once. >> Yeah, that's why I skipped over it. Um, and Mrs. Van Dyke. >> Yes. >> One, two,

056three. >> I'd like to move item number 11. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> Mrs. Francisco. >> Miss O'Brien. Yes, >> Mr. Sidowitz. >> Yes, >> Mr. Drew. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Swer. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Fritz. >> Yes, >> Mr. Yuber. >> Mrs. Van Dyke. >> Yes. >> Like to move item number 12. >> Second. >> Discussion. [Music] >> If not, Mrs. San Francisco. >> Mr. Sidowitz. >> Yes. >> Mr. Drew. >> Yes. >> Miss O'Brien. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Fritz. >> Yes. >> Mr. Yuber. >> Yes. >> Like to move item number >> Wait, we didn't get through everybody. >> Mrs. Dwire, >> yes. >> Mrs. Van Dyke, >> yes. I'm voting on 12 right now, right? >> Yes. >> Transfer >> like to move item number 13. >> Second discussion. Mrs. Francisco,

057>> Mrs. Mr. Dwire, >> yes. >> Mr. Yuber, >> yes. >> Mr. Drew, >> yes. >> Mr. Sidowitz, >> yes. >> Mrs. Fritz, >> yes. >> M O'Brien, >> yes. >> Mrs. Van Djk, >> I abstain. >> Uh, Mr. Corino is not here tonight. Did you move that, Mr. Silus? >> I move item number one under policy. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Mrs. Francisco, >> Mr. Sidowitz, >> yes. >> Mr. Yuber, >> yes. >> Mr. Drew, >> yes. >> Mrs. Dwire, >> yes. >> Miss O'Brien, >> yes. >> Mrs. Fritz, >> yes. >> Mrs. Van Dyk, >> yes. >> Negotiations. [Music] That's true. >> I'd like to move item number one, please. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> Mrs. Francis. >> Mr. Drew. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sidowitz. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Swer. >> Yes.

058>> Mrs. O'Brien. >> Yes. >> Mr. Yuber. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Fritz. Yes. >> Mrs. Van Djk. >> Yes. Committee report. Mr. Corino is not here tonight. Uh safety. We had a safety meeting on November 1st. Um a lot was discussed about the reverse 91 911 and the implementation of it. Shared 91, I'm sorry. and the implementation of it with the teachers, the the uh logistics with some of the buildings that have to do with getting the signals to where they need to be at. >> What is it? >> That's the shared 911. >> Uh yeah, I think we've been know this a little bit. This is an app that we purchased for this year for each staff member to use in the so they can place a school in a lockdown. you know, no

059no longer the ability to call a lockdown. Used to just be in the main office with the principal. Now it's any staff member can do it from their laptop, their desktop or their mobile phone, iPad, whatever. Right. >> So, >> there's different things that they were going over like they have to come up with booklets and different things like that for the classrooms. So, that was the bulk of the discussion. >> Superintendent R. I'm sorry, Mr. >> Um, since that glad you could see him. Thank you. I appreciate that. >> I don't want to look at it. >> Since the bond was approved, do we have to apply for grants to get money for safety initiatives or what's what's next for us with that? >> We haven't gotten any um information from the state at

060this point. It would >> the second or the question that was on the ballot? >> Yeah. Two weeks ago. >> It was approved. >> Yeah. Two weeks ago. >> We don't have any addition. We we have nothing since >> I mean it looks like maybe a good opportunity for us to augment our >> time will tell right >> superintendent >> the two biggest things that came out of the uh superintendent's round table had to do with the school calendar um parents wanted the professional days moved to an early dismissal because of child care problems in the morning. So that was addressed and of course the the voting issue at PK um came up and um we have a walkth through by the county of the is it the Philadelphia church >> freedom freedom church for

061November January January 13th why does that sound familiar >> it's in January >> I have the date so those were the two biggest concerns um Um, state county school boards, the next meeting is November 29th. I'm not able to attend. So, if someone is able to attend, please let me know and they could go in my place. >> I'd be interested. I got to check my calendar. >> If any just contact me and let me know and New Jersey school boards, it really falls in line with the report of the workshop because that's what was held. It was I gave my report on that legislative Mr. Huber. Uh >> I did not find anything new. >> I'm going to come to you. I know that you have a did legislative too, right? >> The delegate

062assembly. >> Right. Yeah. Let Mr. Uber first and then >> Okay. Well, I didn't find anything new as far as finalized legislation. I was going to announce the uh you know the passing of the $500,000 uh $500 million bond. Uh but Mr. Drew already mentioned that. So that's all that's all I've got today. >> He stole your thunder. Sorry. >> Well, uh, the dele delegates assembly. >> So, this Saturday, Senate President Sweeney was supposed to speak to the delegate assembly, but in his place, Mark Maguar is going to speak. He is the associate executive director for policy development in the Senate Majority Office. That's a heck of a title. >> And the former New Jersey Education Commissioner, Lucille Davey, will be addressing the assembly. Uh let anything that any member would like addressed, please email

063me. Uh I'm a delegate on your behalf. Okay. Anybody have any questions for Will input? Okay. Technology, Mrs. President. >> No update right now. Um, Mr. Six, the township. >> So, in order to create a wider community discussion, uh, I've talked to Mr. Signarino and asked if, uh, he'd be willing to meet with the friends of Wall. And so if with the board's blessing uh we can continue on speaking with the friends of Walsh to discuss the following questions and anything that you may bring up. What are the expectations of the board, the council and the friends of Walsh? Uh the current goals of the Friends of Walsh, future goals of the Friends of Walsh, how can the board and council help the friends of Walsh? And what other ideas they may place on the

064table? So, I will be reaching out to everybody individually to hopefully garner some any input and whether or not we should move forward with this, but I think it's valuable to discuss this property that we have in common with the council. >> Mr. I would be um very interested to know how this Wallish property is going to benefit our kids and that should be the number one priority. Did I I have a question because I have read something and that the group was not are they changing people or something? >> You mean the Wallist? >> Yeah. The the friends of Wallers that >> you mean the the board itself? >> Yeah. >> I mean I I I have I have heard hearsay but I'd rather not I would rather not say >> you talking about

065the you talking about friends Wallace right now? >> Yeah. Is there is there friends? >> I don't know. >> I I believe that there was disc I don't know about the question of whether the board's changing or anything, but I I I believe that in the past the the friends of Walsh have discussed things like, you know, putting up green houses, doing agricultural things that you could bring students to. >> Um things like that that would be could be valuable for us as far as field trips and things like that. Um, uh, there's also, you know, there have been ideas brought up such as solar power, utilizing some of the the land for sports or recreation of of fields and things like that. Um, so there's a lot of things that that property might be

066used for that because we are we don't have the same requirements on us as the town has on it as far as using the properties because there are wetlands over there and wetland borderline border properties that um with our cooperation it might be used differently than if the council just had to try and do something themselves. So we we need to c you know try and cooperatively figure out something that this could be used to benefit everybody and especially our students. Uh but it's possible to get some income out of it. >> It it would be purely an information thing that you're doing. >> Absolutely. And also in regards to uh Mrs. Dwire's comment in how it will benefit kids that has to come from our end, our administrative end because that is our shared

067property with the township. >> Expectations. That's why I brought that up. >> But I believe the friends of Wall have ideas about that. So to for us to listen to I >> I think I think as long as you're going about it and purely have information about the >> I'll report back to the >> not giving any promises. I I could tell you that this has been discussed a number of times over the last few years. So, um there have been some overtures too with the high school um I think with the environmental um club >> and in getting involved with them. >> Would the administration be able to maybe give us an update on what we have utilized the property for? >> Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you, Will. >> You'll let us know

068when you're going to be >> Mr. Chair. >> Thank you. >> We have a member of the in the audience who's on the board of the uh Friends of Wallace. And I might recommend if the person is willing that perhaps in the second public comment period, he could discuss that. >> That would be up to him. >> Anybody? >> But are we encouraging him? if you would like to. That's up to him. >> I for one would be interested. >> Uh, education foundation, Mrs. O'Brien. >> Um, I received information from the, um, current board of the West Milford Education Foundation that due to the lack of volunteers, the uh, ED Foundation is in the process of dissolving. I know that um the years that I've been on the board and and I'll preface by saying

069I apologize, but I'm doing house renovations and and my paperwork is is somewhere, but I know that um in their um I'm sorry, I'm having >> bylaws. Thank you. Thank you. Somebody is thinking for me. um that there's um stipulations as to how they're going to disperse the funds. Um that's what they're in the process of doing at this time. If things change, um if they reinvent themselves or come back, I'll be happy to >> some information. >> You can give more information. >> Yes. Maybe maybe on the comment part also, please. >> Absolutely. >> Okay. Thank you. All right. Thank you, Mrs. O'Brien. No problem. Awesome. Mr. >> Okay. They haven't had a meeting since my last report, but I would like to um give a a second uh shout out for Safe Night.

070Um I attended it last year. It was a really fantastic event. There were a lot of valuable vendors that were that were there for anybody who was looking for information. Presentation was good. And I can only imagine it'll be better this year having practiced once before. Okay. >> So, I would encourage all families to to try and attend that. >> Thank you very much. Um, old business. >> Does anybody have anything for old business? >> Seeing none like to close old business. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> All righty. New business. >> Mr. Drew. >> Thank you. Uh we did something last year at around this time of year where we uh voted to recognize our teachers who uh have earned various levels of teacher of the year uh recogn

071awards and I would like to make a motion to do uh the same thing this year. The uh uh thinking on this is that uh we we have actually quite a few uh many outstanding teachers, but every time I talk to one of these people, it is I'm just astounded by their enthusiasm and I can see why kids want to be in those classes. We had the district teacher of the year of course give a presentation of the song and um we're just very very lucky to have these people. I wish there was more that we could do to uh recognize our our our our teachers our teachers of the year. Uh you and I had a discussion about this, Miss Van Djk, and I think it's very worthwhile to see if we can figure

072out some additional things we could do uh in in the upcoming year, maybe to recognize our teachers. We're just uh we're very lucky to have these people. It's uh not really all that substantial, but just kind of a way of saying thank you for doing the job you do. You change lives. And uh uh I I think it's huge. The actual monetary amounts were uh a school being designated a u teacher of the year from the school is $500. If you win district teacher of the year, it's an additional $500 for a,000 total. If you uh receive recognition as to say county teacher of the year, it is an additional $1,000 for 2,000 total. And if um if somebody were to be recognized as state teacher of the year, it would be an additional $2,000

073for 4,000 total. And uh anyhow, I would like to us to consider that again uh now uh for payment sometime in in December before the holidays and u you know I understand there are other people who are doing a bangup job for us. I I I think the proof is is in the pudding that I believe we've had teacher Vet County teacher of the year nine out of the past 12 years. We're just very very blessed to have these people teaching our kids and and uh I I think that deserves recognition. >> Are are you putting up a motion for >> that? Was a motion. Yes. and those specific amounts for those specific direct commissions. [Music] >> Do you have that written down? >> Can Can you do a reader digest version? >> Yeah. >>

074People who won teacher of the year, there should be eight of them, one for each school. >> Mhm. >> Get an additional 500 bucks payable sometime in December. If any of them go to the next level and and and win district teacher of the year, and I believe we have one of those, they get another $500 $1,000 total. I don't think we have the say county teacher of the year this year. Is that right? So maybe there's it's not even worth discussing those levels, but so >> anyone have any discussion Go ahead, Nicole. >> Um I know that um you reached out to me today. I couldn't get back to you. I apologize. >> I feel like this is it's a bigger conversation because it's like are we going to do this every year and

075maybe with the conversation? Is this something that is better suited for committee discussions to decide first before like because it's not just you know each year we're going to otherwise we're going to have the discussion. We're not disagreeing or agreeing one way or the other. I just feel like it's a bigger conversation >> financially. you know, look forward >> and there's just also um it's a very for goal and the board can choose to do what they want. I just have concerns potentially um about the negotiations aspect of it and whether or not this would be something that would be more appropriate for that aspect. Um you certainly can make whatever you want, Mr. True, but it might. >> Well, since you're advocating for a position, let me counter that. I think it doesn't belong

076in negotiations because then you add it into the pot and if you give it to one teacher, you're taking it away from another teacher. So, that's very specifically why we didn't discuss it in negotiations. >> I'm not trying to to advocate for >> Well, you're doing it. >> No, I'm just saying there might be some legal ramifications at all. >> Is there And Mr. Huber? I I think that we discussed this at pretty much at length last year and um Right. Right. So there's a little bit of history, but I think what ended up being decided was that one, the teachers deserve it, and two, it's a motivating factor that for a very little bit of money in the overall scheme of our budget, it's worthwhile to have that motivation out there and to also

077say thank you to these particular teachers. I I'm I'm I'm going to vote no. And I I please in no way do I want the staff of order. >> Wait, no, I'm not voting yet. >> No, it's point of inquiry. Aren't you conflicted? This is for teachers. >> Conflicted. >> This is for teachers. >> I can't vote on this. >> This is not I have a daughter who's a teacher. >> No, just I mean if there was some aspect of it like we would have to approve >> and her daughter was not one of the recipient. I mean again this is why we just asked that like the mechanics of this is it just automatic that if you get this we just giving out in December I don't even know like we have to we

078have the ability to do this >> this motion is this year only this is not a permanent >> did your daughter any uh family member relative win so the >> this year no >> my my my comment's going to be that I I will vote no on it not because I have this please in no way does this represent my feeling towards the the staff of this district because I know what a amazing staff we have here and I am very supportive of the president. I feel that it's a I do agree with Mrs. Fritz that this is a bigger issue that should be discussed in committee and get feeling from everybody and to discuss it in public is a very difficult thing to do for each board member. I would love to do something

079for Dr. Mlaughlin then because a national championship is a wonderful thing that he's brought to our district, but I think there are ways of letting our staff know that we we recognize them without singling out a few and having many feel disenfranchised. So, I'm going to That's how I'm That's how I feel. That's my opinion. After the vote last year, I had been out with some people and I I would never give names, but they felt they they felt the per the the people who were happy about it were the people who received the award and the other teachers were a little not I I don't I don't want to say it. It just didn't sit well with them. And it we even got a letter when we got on the board in January from

080a former teacher's husband who was the teacher of the year. And it it was it was a very berated letter to us. So I although I know and I do agree with you that we want to we want to identify these teachers and thank them. I also do feel that we have to think about how we go about. So I'm I'm not for it. That's my own opinion. And I don't know about anybody else. >> I would only have to counter that a little bit by saying that I don't think that the everybody gets a trophy viewpoint works. >> That that's not what I was looking for, but thank you. Does anybody have any other comments? >> If not, we're voting on the motion. Correct. >> Yes. >> Roll call. Mrs. Francis, >> Mrs. Mr.

081Sidawitz. >> Yes. >> Mr. Drew. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Dwire. >> No. Mrs. Fritz, >> no. >> Mr. Yuber, >> yes. >> Mrs. O'Brien, >> no. >> Mrs. Van Dyk, >> no. >> Mr. Sideways, >> I move that the following statement be read before voting on all future HIV investigations upon its approval. The Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act adopted by the New Jersey Department of Education in 2011 provides anti-discriminatory protections for students. The act narrowly defines harassment, intimidation, and bullying commonly referred to as HIV. Substantiated HIV cases must demonstrate any gesture, any written, verbal, or physical act, or any electronic communication, whether it be a single incident, or a series of incidents that is reasonably perceived as being motivated either by any actual or perceived characteristics such as race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender,

082sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression, or a mental, physical, or sensory disability. [Music] you know, I cut off or by any other distinguishing characteristic. Unsubstantiated HIV cases are determined by the board and the administration to lack these perceived characteristics. Therefore, the disciplinary actions in unsubstantiated cases will be applied in accordance with district policy 5600, pupil discipline code of conduct. What exactly did you want this to be for >> read every time you say it for every single hit? >> Yes. >> Well, we're discussing before we're >> not not every single hip, but every time we do a hip motion, >> I believe is what he intends. >> Is that right, Will? >> Yes. >> Point of order. There is no second. So, thank you. Now, we can discuss. >> Point of order. Now, we're discussing.

083>> Madam Chairman, may I ask? You may >> do we legally have to do that? >> No. Um I can answer that right. No, there is no uh requirement under HIV that says that we need to do this. Um I'm just going to say as a point of information, I'm actually working with Barbara and superintendent to put out um just two or three paragraphs on the website just to explain the difference. Um there seems to be some misconception that if a HIV is unsubstantiated, everyone just walks away. There's no discipline. That's not the case. Um this still just goes into the student code of conduct. Um there's just a difference between conflict which is generally like the classic two people get into a fight. There was something said beforehand, no bullying. That is not HI.

084Whereas HI you have to meet very specific criteria according to our policy and the law. Um again I'm not making any I'm not advocating for this motion one way or the other. Just saying if we're doing that for the website, if this is something that you guys want to do, you certainly can, but it is not required. [Music] >> Mr. Huber. >> Okay. Uh I'm in favor of it. I would ask if Will would be willing to amend his motion to add something. Simple statement that just basically says that the HIP law is an anti-discrimination law rather than a true anti-bullying law. It does say anti-discrimin. >> Oh, it does. >> And the second number, >> Mr. Silence. >> So, I prepared a statement as the maker of the motion kind of reserved the right

085to speak first. Anyhow, in my opinion, the board gets unfairly positioned by residents regarding HIVs. The board as a whole is discredited by being called supporters of bullying and not doing anything regarding bullying matters. And it's unreasonable to think that any one of us does support bullying. However, this situation brings to light an important gap between the board and the public. As we have spoken about in the past, the general public is unaware of the board's role in the process of determining HIVs as substantiated or unsubstantiated. Mr. Huber brought up in the past the reading of a statement prior to voting on HIVs that is similar in style to the OPMA statement. This the statement seems a necessary start in combating the misinformation surrounding HIVs especially to the students and parents that come to the

086board for further consideration. The reason why you have numbers in front of each of those lines is that way we can reference them in order to amend it. So if somebody does propose an amendment, they can make a quick reference. That way we're all on board uh with their motion. I hope you support it. What I would like to say is I do agree that we are being misunderstood because when we vote no when we vote to unsubstantiate a hip it seems that we have done nothing and I I totally agree with that. We have had some discussions uh Dr. Anamon and myself in talking about maybe there is a way to educate the parents on exactly what hib means. I think across the state people don't understand it and it is it is a

087little confusing and we thought that maybe coming up to the next school year or you know to to back to school night or one of them would be an ideal way to get that information out to our parents and to people so that they understand exactly what you're saying Mr. Uber about it not being an anti-bullying law that we need to get that we need to educate our parents and we want people to understand that we also do there is ramifications to things they just may not see it because it doesn't fall under being sub uh substantiated it. So although I do agree with you, I do also think that we need to go that step further and educate um our parents. I don't know how the rest of the board feels about this type

088of motion, you know, like this putting before each one. Mrs. O'Brien, um I the the public parents don't understand that when we go into executive session, we talk about the HIPS. Um and a lot of times we question the details as to what has uh what kind of services were provided to those p to the to the children um the victims and the and the the bullies. And um and in this six years I've been on the board, there's never been a time where nothing was not done. Something was done. There was some sort of counseling. There's some sort of um uh ramification when incidents have taken place. Um but the thing we also have to understand is that these are children and their their needs have to be protected. Their privacy has to be

089protected. So we don't go out there and we'll say you know so and so this is what so and so um this is the the punishment from so and so and this other child went through this. So there's a strict policy as far as protecting the privacy of the children. So that's why nothing of of this sort is being discussed in public which gives the in my opinion gives the um public and parents misunderstanding that nothing's being done because we can't go any into any further discussion on the matter. So we have to we tread lightly when we tread tread very carefully when it comes to that stuff. We do not want to mess things up that way. The one thing that I would ask is this is kind of off the cuff right here

090tonight broadcast. I I >> I emailed this twice to members. >> I never got it. I never got it either. >> I can show you the emails. >> Everybody else got it. >> Okay. Well, I I'll be honest. I I did not read it. If I got it, I didn't read it. And I tend to read pretty much everything that I get. So I maybe it came while I was away. I don't know. But anyhow, I would like to see it discussed just a little bit further in committee, but we can do whatever. >> Mr. Yer, >> um, I'm just going to suggest that since we don't have anything in place at this time, that we maybe put this in place and if later on our parents are sufficiently educated, this can be adjusted or

091removed at a later date. It's as easy to remove as it is to put in place and I think for the time being, it's a good thing. Mr. J, >> my concern here there's there's no question there's confusion. It seems like the principal confusion is there are acts of bullying that do not cross the New Jersey state law to be bullying involving a protected class. And when there isn't that sort of protected class, it's not a hit. It doesn't mean it wasn't bullying, but it's not a hit. And people are completely confused about that with good reason. I think it's actually bad law because it is so confusing. >> Well, it's misnamed. >> My problem is I I like the idea of informing people at every meeting except what we're going to tell 20 people

092over and over again that what the problem is. I think that whatever the final resolution is, it needs to be written down where people will see it. They can go to it. will have hundreds of people look at it instead of 20. So I I guess my temptation is um although I don't know do we have any idea when that will be written down? >> I'm I'm working with uh Matt now to get uh to get a statement out that we could share in our website. So we have a rough draft now. We're still working on it. >> Is that cuz because I kind of like the idea. Okay, let's announce it. And when it's written down, >> I think I have a broader reach than at this board meeting. Like you said, there's not

093that many people here. We have the ability to put on our website that everybody goes to and honey will it out, which will go to every parent then. So, that might be uh that might be the better way. >> Just a thought. >> Is it likely you'll have them by let's say the next meeting? >> Yeah, we have a draft now. We just have to fine-tune a little bit. >> Mrs. Fritz and Mrs. O'Brien. Mrs. Fritz first. I agree with their concerns about um that there's a lot of confusion around it and I I I don't think this is the right form for reading statement. I don't know that that's going to have a lot of value to the people that really have the questions. I mean it's still legally is a little bit it's

094a very formal paragraph. I think educating parents and getting more information around the process kind of being a little more transparent about what happens and what constitutes which piece of it is what really is going to make a difference. And maybe even in addition to just a a formal blurb on the website, maybe it's almost like an FAQ to the extent that we can share lenses around that really to help you know those questions that you see parents asking over and over and over again. Kind of putting something like that out there. I think educating people versus just reading a statement at every meeting. This isn't going to add a lot of value. >> Um food for thought. I don't like to add more work to everybody's case load at the moment. But I'm wondering

095if the if the PT if the school websites, I mean, not just our website, but all the schools and maybe PTAs, PTO websites, their sites, they should have something maybe doesn't have to be a, you know, a carbon copy, but maybe something comparable um or even a link to something else to help them out as well. I mean, >> so currently um through our parent portal, every parent in the district has access to um our HIP policy, our code of conduct through um the parent questions on the parent portal. And we have a checkbox for those parent questions um to make sure that they have looked at it, that they have seen it, and that it's still there. So that is always there and is always uh always available. So it it is something that

096we um have access to everyone. And I guess we can discuss again um you know how we bring uh broader uh exposure and knowledge to that. >> All right. All right. I must not I don't know uh through the parent portal. You got the parent portal through the main website. Correct. Our our website. >> Yeah. So it's the um it's the resource that a parent would use to log in when they check >> on for parents that sort of thing. Okay. It's also an app now. We have an activation. >> Okay. >> It's also an app on your phone. >> All right. Forgive me because since my kids are not in school, I'm not that I'm familiar with my stuff. >> If you have a registered student, you have access to the parent portal and

097then you can you can access all these documents without having to search through, you know, the the policies sort of, you know, it's it's big when you go through the website. When you go to the parent portal, you click directly and it takes you to those policies that we're discussing now. >> Okay. >> Mr. started with. Maybe we could when you're done 12 questions. >> Two things. This statement is intended for the parents that do show up for that HIV for their kid. This isn't a districtwide notification of what an HIV is >> or watching >> in my opinion or watching at home. Secondly, I move that we strike adopted by the New Jersey Department of Education in 2011 from that statement. >> You can just amend your motion and I'll second it. >> Okay.

098I'll have to read it again. >> No, you don't. No, you don't. >> First of all, no point of order. It would just be you make a motion to amend it. There could be a second. There still needs to be a vote on it. It doesn't just be automatically open. So, there would have to occur. Um I don't know. >> Can I call the question? >> Point of order. There's a motion. >> No. Madam President is allowed to call the question um at any time. Very lengthy discussion. >> Point of order. It's not discussion. >> Yes, Mr. Gilbert. >> Okay. Procedurally, Will can withdraw his motion, make the new motion with the adjustment, and it can be rescended and then we don't have to have a whole lot of extra voting. >> Hold the question

099if it's beyond that. Point of order. My understanding of Robert's rules, you can call the question, >> right? >> But if there's any objection, then we have to vote on whether to close the question, not just you get to call it and we're all done with discussion. >> As soon as Robert's rules and our policy, the board president can call a question after there's been an lengthy discussion. >> Sure. Can you show me that policy, please? >> Point of order. >> You have the polic of order. We can also object to the chair's decision >> and then that could be second. Absolutely. >> Where does that come from? >> That come from the 700page book that has the rules that outline how we run a meeting. >> Well, I'm calling the question and we'll vote

100on it and then we can move forward. It discussion this discussion has been exceeded here to about 25 minutes already. Mrs. Francisco, please take the vote. >> We're voting closing the question or we're voting >> on the original >> We're voting on his motion. >> Original motion. >> The original motion. Mr. Sidawitz, >> yes. >> Mr. Drew, >> yes. >> Mrs. Dwire, >> no. >> Mrs. Fritz, >> no. >> Mr. Yuber. >> All right. Just to clarify, a yes means you want to call the call the question and vote on it. We're not voting on the motion. >> We're voting on the motion. >> Yeah. >> All right. So, we're not voting on calling the question even though there's objections. All right. So, I'll say yes. >> Miss O'Brien? >> No. >> Mrs. Van Dyk?

101>> No. >> Motion fails. >> Any other new business? [Music] If not, I need a motion to close new business. See, um like to close new business. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Have your meeting afterwards, Mr. Yuber and Mr. Time for public comment. Members of the public who have requested to speak prior to the meeting will be first for five minutes for each speaker for a period of 30 minutes and then time permitting other public comment limited to 5 minutes per speaker will be allowed until the 30 30 minute time period transpires. All speakers are asked to give their full name, spell their last name, and provide their address. Speakers may not use the names of students during the public comment. Is anyone um would

102like to speak please? [Music] >> Uh Deborah Laruso, it's L A R U SSO. I live at 71 Hudson Drive right over in Lindy Lake. Um just to add what Debbie was saying, um I'm one of the remaining board members. There's like three of us now. So unfortunately it is going to dissolve. We even tried to hold a meet and greet which they came and greeted but they never came back. So unfortunately we're in a position where there's it's going to have to be bolded. um we had discussed the last few remaining board members and then that's how we emailed Debbie is we have um a sum of somewhere around the $6,000 mark. So we want to have cuz Jack copy is still on the account. I can't write a check. So, we have to

103get him to write a check and close the bank account, send it to the board of education, and we all agreed um that we would like to see that money divided up amongst all of our schools. I mean, even if it ends up being $200 a school, it's something. We don't think it should all go to one place. We think all of our faculty and all of our staff and all of our schools should get some piece of that money. So that was just because I was at the meeting. So that's I just wanted to fill you in to piggyback what Debbie said. Um but we do want to disperse the money throughout the district. >> Could you reach out to Mrs. Francisco and maybe you could have a conversation? >> Yeah, sure. Absolutely. >>

104You know, and then we could maybe have a report by the time we get to the December meeting. Everybody is >> not a problem. But right now it's sitting in a bank account in Lakeland doing nothing. So that's, you know, we're kind of want to see the schools get it. But yeah, I'll get in touch with uh Mrs. Francisco. >> Thank you so much. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you. >> Did you want to speak on the Wallish property? >> I because Mr. Drew, Mr. Drew. >> Yeah, you volunteer to come up. Welcome aboard. >> Hi, Dave Oshinski. Uh, Osky is going to be joining you. 47 Morris Avenue. Um, I'm no longer with the Wallace Group. My term ended in April. Uh, couple of thoughts for everybody. Uh, number one, the new organization having

105some organizational growing pains. I think you'd want to know where they stand right now with getting board members, having board members, elections, doing fundraising. Um, there was some issues uh with the board itself. Um, another kind of big issue with the town and the board of ed and the group is when I looked at the first kind of agreement indemnification. Uh, friends of Walsh doesn't have the money for insurance. Um, is that up to you guys if something bad happens? If something bad happens up to the town, they have an event, god forbid, a child is touched in appropriate, you know, that's a big issue that was um, kind of a stumbling block that needs to be addressed. Um, other than that, that's that's pretty much it. And I look forward to joining you in

106January. >> Thank Thank you. >> Thank you, sir, for helping out. Thank you. Would anybody else like to speak? >> Hi, >> Kate. Romeo, one Christale Drive, Oakidge. Um, it's hard for me to sit on this side and not speak, so I just want to say I'm really excited. Um, but I want to just mention about the hip stuff. It's nice to see everybody agree that there's miscommunication and everybody agreed on that. Um, what's the hard part is what to do about it. So, as a parent, my third grader doesn't know anything about that law. He knows the word bullying. He knows, but he doesn't understand the discrimination part. And so, maybe during the week of respect, we can do presentations in all our schools for all grades and explain that. um you're not recreating

107the wheel. We're not going to do new things. This was an unfunded mandate from a former governor and every school in New Jersey has to deal with it. So, let's find out who's doing it best. You know, um Dr. Animone can ask his group, the principles can ask their groups. Um I bet there's presentations out there for every grade level already. um you know, adding the statement. Those are all great ideas, but if you're telling that to a parent when they get here, we've already not done a great job. So, we need to start way before that, you know, um and educating everyone. And I love the ideas of on the website. I talked about possibly a parent night where we can explain like what kind of investigation happens. Like people hear that word and

108it freaks them out, you know? So like just explaining, communicating to kindergarten all the way up to parents and putting those things in place then that statement and those types of things are not needed on your back to cover you cuz you we have to do it like a full rounded thing. And I just wanted to say that um it's something that you know as a community we can do better everyone. It's not you and and it's sad that any parent would think that that is on the nine of you because it's not. It's a state thing and I just wanted to mention that that there's a lot of things to do not just a statement. Thank you. >> Thank you. Would anybody else like to speak? >> Seeing none like to close public comments.

109>> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Do we need a motion? Uh car. Make a motion for session. Thank you. And 9:07 p.m. Um, I vote that I vote I ask that we go into executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel appointments, resignations, current litigation matters, special education matters, hints, and matters of attorney client privilege. The executive session minutes will not be released until such time as the privilege or confidentiality is no longer applicable. >> Second. Thank you. All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? We will be coming back and we promise we'll be back. [Music] >> Do you have a Robert?